About Us

K2 Equity is a family investment office committed to creating sustainable, long-term value through strategic investments and active ownership. Established by Karl Kristian Sunde from Ålesund in Norway, K2 Equity brings together extensive experience, deep industry knowledge, and a robust network across national and international markets.

K2 Equity is currently headquartered in Oslo, but are looking for opportunities across Europe.

We invest across three distinct yet complementary pillars:

Private / Unlisted Companies

Our private equity arm is where we use our experience and capital to shape businesses and actively drive growth and optimisation agendas. We work closely with all stakeholders of our businesses and take pride in developing our companies together with management. We have no mandates on our own capital which makes it possible to execute against strategic goals rather than optimising against a pre-timed exit. Importantly, we focus our attention and limit ourselves to only work up to 5 platforms simultaneously. That way all our investments get the time they deserve.

Public Companies or IPO Candidates

We look to the public markets for inspiration to our private equity portfolio, but also use the signals we see from our private companies and their engagement with customers and sectors to better select our public exposure. Over time we have built a substantial financial portfolio with strong risk adjusted returns, significantly outperforming passive funds.

Within this investment branch, we invest in bookbuilding processes as well as in listed equities.

Real Estate

We can invest in commercial property alongside our private company exposure. This means we can hold a portfolio of property investments, linked to long-term contracts where we control the lessor.

Meet the Team

We are a small team of senior and experienced professionals in operations, capital markets, strategy development and execution. Partnering with us will give you targeted and senior support on often complex problems – drawing from international experience and networks. Focus is paramount for success and we strongly fit into the category of quality over quantity.

  • Karl Kristian is the Founding Partner of K2 Equity and Guard Invest, and CEO of both as well as of K2 Property. He also chairs Guard Automation, where he has led its transformation into a high-growth leader through acquisitions and active ownership. 

    With extensive experience and a broad network across numerous industries and geographies, Karl Kristian has worked in building materials, packaging, petro chemistry, branded foods, automation, real estate, IT, financial investments, and consumer businesses. Across all roles, he focuses on building resilient organisations, driving strategic growth, and creating long-term value.

  • Joakim brings a wealth of experience from public and private equity owned businesses. He has worked in both senior management and investment positions, in London, Mexico City and Oslo, and has developed deep insights into how the investor / management relationships can create powerful drive.

    When not at work (admittedly rare occasions), Joakim spends his time with his wife and two kids, friends or by the BBQ. Joakim is an avid Liverpool fan and is actively encouraged by Karl Kristian to take up hunting.